Saskatoon outreach groups concerned over growing unhoused children population

WATCH: Community groups are working to address children homelessness in Saskatoon but say more resources are needed.

The results of Saskatoon’s recent point-in-time count have struck concern among outreach groups. The number of unhoused children is more than twelve times that of the previous count two years prior.

“I’m really concerned about the number of children; this year compared to the last count just tells me that we need housing to be able to house their families, and they need to be in supported living environments,” said Shirley Isbister, president of Central Urban Metis Federation Inc (CUMFI).

The 315 children without permanent shelter was an alarming number for many, including Isbister.

“We don’t know if they’re eating right. We don’t know if they’re being educated. So they’ll fall behind in grades. And then we look to the future for opportunities for education and employment,” Isbister said. CUMFI provides a variety of services within the community to help those struggling with homelessness.

Their most recent project, a community washroom, is nearing completion, but Isbister says that outreach groups can only do so much without proper financial support.

“We need the dollars to flow, and we need them to be able to arrive without months of delay, because already we need to start getting ready for this winter for warm-up stations. And where are those dollars going to come from?” Isbister said.

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The CUMFI president highlights the fact that housing comes with many expenses in addition to just having a roof over one’s head.

“It’s not just ‘here’s your house, move in.’ And lots of times some people are talking about housing, that’s how it sounds. And I don’t think they realize the amount of dollars that goes into setting people up,” Isbister said.

Saskatchewan’s Minister of Social Services, Terry Jenson, says the numbers have caught his attention.

“One of the most concerning things is the number of children that were identified as being unhoused or without a place to go, and it’s not acceptable,” Jenson said.

Jenson went on to share that the results of this report will help indicate areas of improvement.

“It’s something that we’re going to continue to work with our municipal partners, our Indigenous partners, as well as our CPOs, to identify where those gaps exist and then fill those gaps as quickly and as efficiently as possible,” Jenson said.

The provincial government has implemented a two-year approach to homelessness plan. The $40.2 million initiative is intended to create 155 new supportive housing spaces and 120 new permanent emergency shelter spaces.

Isbister says while there is a clear need for shelter space, she does not feel the provincial government is acting with the urgency required to make substantial change.

“We need the government to step up and not just talk the talk, but we need them to walk the walk; we need action. And so we need to be on this. And the goal for me is that by July, we should know exactly what we’re going to be doing in the winter,” Isbister said.

According to the report, more than 80 per cent of those experiencing homelessness are Indigenous.

Isbister says Indigenous outreach groups like CUMFI, who interact with the community on a daily basis, have the knowledge to help, but the finances are a barrier.

“We need to be able to, as Indigenous, organized nations, company, Tribal Council, we need to be able to access those dollars to care for our people so that our children can see that as Indigenous people, they can be leaders, and they can do this for their community,” Isbister said.

CUMFI is always taking both physical and monetary donations to assist with their work.

While not everyone may be in the position to combat the houselessness crisis in a financial way, Isbister shared that acts of kindness also go a long way.

“When you have homeless people sitting on the sidewalk or sitting somewhere, you watch the people that avert their eyes and don’t look at them. What about saying good morning? Or how are you? You know, something like that to make them know that they’re important,” Isbister said.